Ars et Fides Florence

Ars et Fides Florence is an association that is part of the International Federation founded in 1984: Ars et Fides Fédération Internationale de guides bénévoles – Belgium.Ars et Fides recognizes itself in the principles of the “Charter of Angers”, according to which the members are committed to trying to revive the Christian inspiration that has shaped the culture of Europe and defines its history.

In this perspective, Ars et Fides Florence welcomes individuals and groups in the historic churches, offering a free tour of the interior of the building, illustrating its history and art in the light of the original religious significance.Our volunteers are men and women of all ages who live in the Florentine area and who dedicate a few hours per week to this service. There are also students, from some foreign universities present in Florence, who offer visits in their own language.

The formation of the volunteers is coordinated by the Diocesan Office for Catechesis through the Art, that offers publications, lecture notes, conferences and meetings related to the contents of the service.Motivated by the love for the city and for the spiritual and artistic values ​​that transpire the volunteers of Ars et Fides wish to share this wealth by communicating their enthusiasm and offering a human experience of the historical monument.

Ars et Fides offers intelligent hospitality to individual visitors, groups, schools, associations, clubs; its voluntary guides offer to their guests the pleasure of meeting someone local; and at the same time they ensure that each monument is shown in the light of its dignity, as a sacred place, in which artists have expressed their highest inspirations through art.

As part of its institutional aims to transmit catechesis through art, Ars et Fides Firenze has been present in important events organized by local authorities, such as “Il Genio Fiorentino”, “Giornate per la Famiglia”, “Giornate per la Vita”, “Firenze Marathon”, and various specialized congresses (emotional disability, etc.). Moreover, on the anniversaries of its foundation, the Association promoted a series of special events, including the nightly opening of some Florentine churches and Basilicas with guided tours (very successful among the participants).

Our voluntary guides, whose presence is signaled inside the Churches by an illuminated table and by signs in different languages, welcome visitors in: